The micro LED patch is expected to contribute to the development of multi-functional high-performance implant-type healthcare devices. (image: GIST)
GWANGJU, July 8 (Korea Bizwire) — A new technology has been developed in South Korea to supply power to implanted healthcare devices via a light-emitting diode (LED) patch that uses light as a medium for power supply.
A research team led by Lee Jong-ho, professor of mechanical engineering at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology announced on Tuesday that it had developed a flexible micro LED patch which can be affixed to the skin to supply electric power to medical devices implanted inside of the human body.
The micro LED patch is expected to contribute to the development of multi-functional high-performance implant-type healthcare devices that could help extend lifespan and improve the quality of life.
The new patch also has potential applications for skin care and beauty purposes.
Thus far, the shortage of electric power inside the human body has been a major stumbling block that prevented the development of multi-functional high-performance human-implanted medical devices.
To overcome this barrier, research has been conducted to develop a solar cell that can be implanted into the human body and generate power by absorbing light around it.
These types of solutions, however, are typically limited in that they cannot generate a sufficient amount of electric power at night, indoors or when the implanted area is covered by clothes.
The newly-developed micro LED patch can supply power more efficiently to human-implanted medical devices since it is attached directly to the skin.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
